Out of breath, Ajijaak panted in the shelter of the birch trees. He felt triumphant. He knew he had finally communicated his feelings for Miinan to her, what was more, he was certain, that she had understood the communication. Many times he had tried to tell her, but she never understood. Tonight, finally at long last she knew. She knew! Would it make any difference, he could only pray so. He raised his eyes in prayer. Stars peeked through the whispering birch leaves. Soon the moon would rise. When it did he would creep to where ever Miinan was and gaze upon her. Her skin so lustrous in sunlight was supernatural in moonlight. How he ached for her. He wished she had followed him.
There was the sound of small feet running. Much to his dismay he saw that it was Ziibi. Little pest. He knew the child had a crush on him and it was very annoying. How was it that he attracted the wrong sister yet again?
Ziibi stopped before him. She lifted her small pointed chin up. With eyes that flashed light even in darkness, she looked at him hard. “You must not do that again. Father understood, though Miinan did not. Do not risk my father’s anger for my sister. She will never disobey our father. She does not have the courage.” The child paused, she dropped her eyes and whispered, “I have the courage, and one day you will not see me as pest, you will see me as the one who will walk the path of life with you. No one will stop me. I am strong enough to be your woman.”
The fierceness of her words was comical, but Ajijaak did not even smile. He respected this sprite. He also knew what it felt like to be ridiculed and rejected. Gently he patted her head. Tears splashed down her cheeks. She whispered, “I hear not just the beat of your heart, I hear what your heart says. You do not believe me. It does not matter, I believe me, and for now that is enough.” She turned from him.
He watched her run to her house and crawl through the door flap. His sensitive ears could hear her soft whimpering. He had not meant to hurt her, but he had. Poor Ziibi, she was just as odd as he was. Her way would not be easy. She must learn to control her tongue and not speak so freely. If only she would listen to her noko. He had to smile. He did not listen very well either when his nook’s words went against what he wanted. Still he listened. As for Ziibi, she listened to no one but the spirit who guided her. This spirit frightened Ajijaak. He was not sure it was a good spirit, or a proper one. The spirit she had should have gone to a boy not a girl, and yet it had chosen Ziibi.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
Mikinaak’s voice broke into his thoughts. Mikinaak was Miinan and Ziibi’s father. Ajijaak turned to face the older man. He stood as tall and as straight as he could. He braced himself, he knew he was about to be rebuked.
Strangely, Mikinaak’s voice was calm with no trace of anger.. He said, “I fear I have neglected you. Your uncle reminded me that it is time for you to go off alone to dream your dreams. You have a path, that you must follow and it is time for you to go.” Mikinaak smiled on him. His white teeth gleamed in the moonlight. No, his smile was not a benevolent smile. He wanted to get rid of Ajijaak. He wanted him away from his eldest daughter. One never knew how long it would take to receive a vision. Some had died searching. If he died, Mikinaak would not be sorry, he would be grateful. He did not want his daughter nor his family tied to the village outcast. Still, Ajijaak was not deterred. He was strong and did not fear death. He had long practiced fasting and the art of aloneness. He would receive his vision, and he knew what it would be. He had decided.
Mikinaak’s smile left his face yet his voice and demeanor retained their calm as he said, “Tomorrow your Uncle Ogaa will take you to the place of dreams.”
There was nothing for Ajijaak to do, but nod his ascent. Excitement tingled through him. A man, he would soon be a man, who could claim his woman.
Mikinaak’s voice dropped low, he said, “Ajijaak, you are a good son to your mother, and you look well after your noko. The spirits will be kind to you I think. You must not fear what has gone before. Accept what is yours, do not let the past stain you.”
Again he nodded, confused by this kind statement. He had expected rebuke and received a blessing. Mikinaak patted Ajijaak’s shoulder and returned to the fire.
Excited, Ajijaak took off at a run toward his home. He ran right into Miinan. Her soft arms were suddenly around him. Her face so close. She pulled away from him and laughed. “You need to watch were you are going.”
He grinned at her. His entire body was lit with the fire of her touch. She did not say more to him, but bowed and continued to her own house. His sensitive hearing caught the sound of a door flap opening. He looked at Miinan’s home. The door flap was pulled aside. In the darkness, he saw two bright eyes staring at him. Ziibi. She had seen the whole thing. When she realized that he saw her, she closed the flap. His gaze returned to Miinan. The moonlight fell on her beautiful hair. He longed to run his fingers through it. Miinan’s walk, was like water flowing. Her hips were beginning to form. They would be wide like her mother’s. She would bear healthy children. If only they could be his children. His eyes followed her until she reached the house and closed the door flap behind her.